Napa County Celebrates Inaugural Employee Appreciation Week and Honors Outstanding Employees

NAPA COUNTY - This week, Napa County launched its inaugural Employee Appreciation Week, focused on recognizing the dedication and excellence of county employees. The week included in a Board of Supervisors meeting on November 5, where awards were presented to individuals and teams demonstrating exceptional commitment to public service, significantly impacting the county and its residents.

In his remarks, Napa County Executive Officer Ryan Alsop expressed his deep gratitude to county employees: "First and foremost, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for the dedication and hard work you bring to our county. The work you do is among the most important being done by anyone, anywhere in our country. All of you contribute to the health, strength, and prosperity of our county and its people; without you, our most important resource, we fail."

"Our employees are the backbone of Napa County's success," said Joelle Gallagher, Chair of the Napa County Board of Supervisors. "Their dedication and compassion drive the positive outcomes we achieve every day. This week is our way of saying thank you and recognizing those whose work has gone above and beyond in service to our community."

The ceremony featured the presentation of the Excellence in Public Service Awards, recognizing individuals for their strategic thinking, accountability, customer-focused service, and innovative problem-solving. This year, four employees were honored, nominated by their peers:

• Carly Caveney (HHSA/Comprehensive Services for Older Adults)
• Greg Morgan (CEO/Clerk of the Board)
• Benjamin Sargent (Office of the Auditor-Controller)
• Patrick Scott (Public Works/Property Management)

Additionally, Jennifer Yasumoto, Director of Health and Human Services, who was nominated by her peers, was honored with the Outstanding Department Head: Standard of Excellence Award for her exemplary leadership, customer service, and innovation.

The event also included the presentation of distinguished awards in two categories:

• Chair's Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service: Awarded to the Housing & Homeless Services Division for their collaborative, client-centered services that prioritize dignity and well-being.
• CEO's Award for Leadership, Culture & Productivity: Presented to the Public Works Property Management Team for fostering public trust and enhancing the county's reputation.

The event also recognized 20 employees who have served Napa County for over 30 years, combining an impressive total of 663 years of service.

This inaugural Employee Appreciation Week marks Napa County's commitment to recognizing and valuing the hard work of its employees, establishing a new tradition of honoring the people behind the county's ongoing success.